A '''religion''' is a system of [[belief]]s that asserts the existence of at least one of:

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# a human [[soul]] or [[spirit]],

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# a [[deity]] or "[[higher being]]", or

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# the continuation of the self after the [[death]] of one's body.

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As an [[wiktionary:uncountable|uncountable]] noun, '''religion''' is a "way of living" or the set of customs or rituals that follows from such beliefs.

As an [[wiktionary:uncountable|uncountable]] noun, '''religion''' is a "way of living" or the set of customs or rituals that follows from such beliefs.

{{wiktionary|religion}}

{{wiktionary|religion}}

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It is notoriously difficult to define what does and does not constitute a religion, due to the sheer variety of human religious beliefs and practices. [[Taoism]] and [[Confucianism]], for instance, are sometimes described as [[philosophies]] rather than religions.

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It is notoriously difficult to define what does and does not constitute a religion, due to the sheer variety of human religious beliefs and practices. [[Taoism]] and [[Confucianism]], for instance, are sometimes described as [[Philosophy|philosophies]] rather than religions.

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The term originated in Middle English sometime between 1150 and 1200 CE, referring to a state of conscientiousness or social binding.

==Classification==

==Classification==

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==Largest world religions==

==Largest world religions==

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According to 2005 data collected by [[Adherents.com]], the religious traditions with the most "adherents" around the world (including traditions outside of the three major divisions listed above) are:

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According to data collected by [[Adherents.com]], the religious traditions with the most "adherents" around the world (including traditions outside of the three major divisions listed above) are:<sup>[http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html]</sup>

# Non-religious, including [[secular]], [[agnostic]] and [[atheist]]: 1.1 billion (reporting on this number can sometimes be problematic as some confusion arises over the term, as some religions support of allow atheism.)

** [[Gnosticism]] &mdash; knowledge of God; more specifically, a diverse religious tradition in the first few centuries A.D. which stressed knowledge of the divine origins of the universe and human beings

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** [[Esotericism]] &mdash; knowledge of the divine is available to only a few enlightened individuals

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** [[Omnitheism]] &mdash; all religions have some appreciation of the inherent spirituality of existence; stresses reconciliation of different religious traditions and of religions with scientific understanding

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** [[Theosophy]] &mdash; a purported "body of truth" that forms the basis of all religions

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** [[Spiritualism]] &mdash; religious movement popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries centered around the possibility of contacting spirits of the dead

* [[Animism]] &mdash; unification of matter and spirit; all material things have souls or spirits

* [[Animism]] &mdash; unification of matter and spirit; all material things have souls or spirits

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* [[Determinism]] &mdash; everything follows causally from prior events; there is only one completely determined future (as opposed to many possible futures)

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* [[Esotericism]] &mdash; knowledge of the divine is available to only a few enlightened individuals

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* [[Monism]] &mdash;

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* [[Gnosticism]] &mdash; knowledge of God; more specifically, a diverse religious tradition in the first few centuries A.D. which stressed knowledge of the divine origins of the universe and human beings

* [[Omnitheism]] &mdash; all religions have some appreciation of the inherent spirituality of existence; stresses reconciliation of different religious traditions and of religions with scientific understanding

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* [[Spiritualism]] &mdash; religious movement popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries centered around the possibility of contacting spirits of the dead

It is notoriously difficult to define what does and does not constitute a religion, due to the sheer variety of human religious beliefs and practices. Taoism and Confucianism, for instance, are sometimes described as philosophies rather than religions.

The term originated in Middle English sometime between 1150 and 1200 CE, referring to a state of conscientiousness or social binding.

Classification

Many religions are subdivided into sects or denominations, resulting in a huge number of labels for the religious to choose from. The major world religions are typically, however, divided into three large groups:

Non-religious, including secular, agnostic and atheist: 1.1 billion (reporting on this number can sometimes be problematic as some confusion arises over the term, as some religions support of allow atheism.)